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I enjoy this ‘Kat Chat’ forum…and, putting aside the passionate feelings for Kat, and approaching it from a more pragmatic perspective: as the AI competition progresses, the strategy for increasing voter appeal gets more intriguing and the implications get more daunting (elimination!). I’m interested to hear feedback and opinions on ‘What does Kat have to do to increase her demographic appeal?’
God bless the many passionate Kat fans out there (I’m one of them) but there is little value in responding with ‘Kat’s the best…she’s beautiful… she’s got the best voice…she doesn’t have to do anything...I love her just the way she is…’ because, while that may be true, it doesn’t help deal with the real issue - and primary goal - of helping Kat win AI, and it ignores - to Kat’s detriment - the appeal the other contestants have built up, and, as importantly, does nothing to prepare Kat to attract the looming votes that will become available as successive contestants get voted off.
I have no idea of the actual AI viewer demographic breakdown of the popular vote, (likley proportionally dominated by women 25 and over?) but I would guess that Taylor cuts across a wider demographic fan base than Kat currently does, particularly in the younger age groups. I suspect that Kat has penetrated fairly well into the ‘over 25’ age group (based primarily on her more sophisticated style) but, to win the competition, I think she has to broaden her fan base – by appealing to a wider section of the viewing public, particularly in the 16-25 range, or positioning herself by her perfomances and song choices to swing more votes her way.
In my opinion, strategically, now (in the next few performances) is the time to take a risk and attempt to broaden Kat’s fan appeal, since (I think) Ace, Bucky, Paris and Elliott will likely be voted off in the coming weeks, and thereafter it really gets intense. Kat’s passionate fans will stick with her no matter what she does, so she might as well try something to pick up some of the pending votes. I think that Bucky’s fans might migrate to Kellie to some degree, but Ace, Paris and Elliott voters are ripe for the McPicking.
Chris currently has a solid support base, but ultimately I think his limited ‘hard style’ will ‘flat-line’ and he won’t be the largest benefactor of the voter shift as successive contestants get eliminated.
Kellie has got a huge following too, but again, I don’t see Ace or Paris or Elliott supporters flocking to the ‘Pickle wagon’ in lopsided numbers.
Taylor currently strikes me as the one contestant that attracts the widest demographic appeal, and consequently is best positioned to pick up votes from fans of soon-to-be eliminated contestants.
So, in my humble, totally unqualified ‘quess-timation’, I see a real opportunity for Kat to continue to expand her support base, but I think she has to diversify what she offers the viewers/voters, and now is a good time to experiment and take a risk. I’m hoping Kat ‘throws caution to the wind’ and hammers out something special and really upbeat for Rod Stewart week. We need to see that side of her.
Anyway, I’m not looking for a consultants report, and I also realize that Kat’s mom is a real pro, and she is probably very aware of the demographic influences and is constantly refining the strategy to attract voters…but I’d be interested in the opinions of some fellow ‘posters’ out there in terms of their perspective on Kat’s demographic appeal and the strategy she should follow to pick up more votes to win AI.
Clearly neither Kat, nor any of the contestants, should swing too far from their 'true' identity, but a little subtle 'tweaking' doesn't hurt...and others are doing it...I especially notice how Taylor (love it, or hate it) returned to his uninhibited performance style; and Paris has suddenly found her 'big people' voice and she has toned down her appearance and 'over-the-top' performances...and Kellie did a credible 'temporary transition' from 'country girl' to 'rocker'.
What's Kat's answer to the competition? It might help if people that respond identified what general age-group they're in; and what they like about Kat and/or what she should do (or do more of) to increase her appeal; or who they think the eliminated contestants might be, and who their supporters might switch their votes to, and why you feel that way, etc..
(This post is already much longer than I intended it to be..!!...and my apologies if this issue has already been raised or is under another thread…just point me to the existing thread and I’ll pick it up there)
Slice - I thought 'Killer Queen' would have been perfect for Kat...it would have given her the scope to get out of her 'demure composure' and really 'vamp it up' a little...'take more risks' as you point out.
I agree she would benefit by trying to 'burst through the door' next week. It doesn't have to be a permanent shift in approach, but it would show a side of Kat that I believe is lurking - and needs to be displayed.
BTW - If anything I ever did ended up in 'some scientific journal' I would be shocked and disappointed in science! LOL
I don't think Kat really enjoys dancing, jumping, and running around the stage when she sings. Like you guys said, she had already picked a more upbeat song originally but she decided to change in the last minute. In the clips before the singing, she said she wanted to sing a song that is not that up-tempo and just wants to concentrate on the lyrics and the singing, instead of running aroung the stage. And she's pretty determined and consistent about that regardless of whether people like it or not. Maybe she really hates that style. I'm pretty sure she also knows the consequence of her determination.
Then why be on American Idol? Carrie didn't like it either, but she chose a lot better songs and moved around enough to win it. She looks like she has a LOT of fun when she sings something upbeat. She doesn't have to run around and be jumping all over the place like Taylor, but I thought Kellie (gulp) did an ok job last night. Almost everyone's favorite performance is "Think" (at least 2nd favorite), and that is because she looked like she was having fun. I guess being comfortable with something and pleasing your fans can be two totally different things.
Too funny...and that gives me an idea for a Theme Show...having the contestants doing a parody of another AI contestant...Kat mimics Taylor...Bucky does Ace...Kellie does Elliott...Elliott mimics Paris...Paris does Chris...Chris does Kat...and Taylor mimics Ace...now that's a show I would love to watch, and the make-up and wardrobe crew could really have some fun!
But, back to the topic....I agree that Kat doesn't have to go to extremes....just push the envelope a little more...and show more of her diversity.
winnpoober...The obvious distinction between Kat taking a risk vs Ace is that (sorry Ace) Kat has more talent and can deliver on a calculated risk...and, with all due respect...you mentioned 'Whether Kat takes a risk or not is besides the point...' no, that's exactly my point in this thread...
I agree Kat needs a top notch performance each week...but my interest is in exploring what risks she must take, and when they should be taken, in order to achieve a wider demographic appeal. However if you feel no risks/changes should be made, that’s fair enough too.
I have recommended a 'sooner than later' risk-taking approach because I feel it is the most opportune time to do so, given my assumption (belief) that there are at least two or three other contestants who will be eliminated before the contest gets down to some really heavy choices to be made by the public.
To maintain the status quo and change nothing might work…but I personally don’t think it will be enough for Kat, and if she is going to do something different – like a more risky song selection or more animated performance, I’d rather she does it now before the voters of the soon-to-be eliminated contestants gravitate to another surviving contestant.
Ok, I'm over 40, and I was bowled over by "Since I Fell For You", and "Until You Come Back To Me". Those performances showed us how strong her vocals are. And she was comfortable singing them, probably because she grew up hearing her mom sing them, and from the students using them. Now, she has to enter a world of different themes that maybe she's not too familiar with. I love this girl to the max, she has great appeal in all areas. I agree she needs to expand, so to speak. I think she'll do well with Rod Stewart tunes. She's not going to be the next Pink or Christina Aguilera. She will bring her own style to whatever she does. The judges see her as Broadway, which may be keeping her as an older crowd favorite. But she's really good, and most fans know that. My sister-in-law said to me "she knows she's good", but Kat isn't her favorite. She likes Chris and Taylor.
I think if she mixed a little Chris style and a little Taylor style, and rocked out on something like "Stay With Me", she'd win a few more votes from everywhere. She could pull something off like that and go all the way. But maybe she just doesn't want to stray too far from her roots. I got that feeling last night, when she changed her song.
Either way, win or lose, we will definitely be seeing more of Kat. No doubt in my mind.